Tens of thousands of birds to be saved from toxic lead poisoning

We’re relieved and delighted that the UK Government has announced new restrictions on the use of lead in ammunition. The move marks a hard-won victory after decades of campaigning by the RSPB, WWT and other conservation organisations.

Lead is a toxic metal that is used in the shooting industry, but with catastrophic impacts on wildlife and the countryside. It’s estimated that 7,000 tonnes of lead is released into the countryside each year, poisoning wildlife and polluting habitats.

Up to 100,000 waterbirds such as swans, ducks and wading birds are estimated to die every year from accidentally ingesting lead shotgun pellets, due to their resemblance to seeds and grit. Birds of prey, such as White-tailed Eagles and Red Kites, also suffer from lead poisoning, as they are vulnerable to poisoning from consuming carrion that has been shot or poisoned by lead.  

The new restrictions on the use of lead shot will offer long overdue and much needed protections for both wildlife and countryside.

Evidence from the Health and Safety Executive suggested that without the ban, at least 1 million birds would be a risk from lead over the coming decades, including around 40,000 birds of prey.

The new restrictions will ban shot containing more than more than 1% lead and bullets with a lead content of more than 3% in England, Scotland and Wales. The UK Government has announced that it will aim to legislate the ban by summer 2026, with a three-year transition period to give shooting and hunting sectors time to move to more environmentally friendly alternatives.

RSPB Chief Operating Officer Dr James Robinson said:

“Long known to be a poison, we have campaigned for decades to have lead ammunition removed from use. Lead is a significant problem for nature conservation, impacting the environment and the health of a large number of wild birds, with estimates of up to a hundred thousand individuals dying each year from poisoning. This move, whilst long overdue and stopping short of a full ban, will mean that Britain will become a safer place for millions of birds and other wildlife.”

A huge thank you to the many RSPB supporters and others who have campaigned with us on this issue to protect our wild birds and countryside.

The impact of lead shot on our birds and other wildlife has long been a huge concern and an issue that we have been campaigning on for decades. These types of changes are hard fought and involve huge numbers of people making their voice heard for nature over many years.

In January 2025, we, together with WWT, Wildlife and Countryside Link, CHEM Trust and Wild Justice wrote an open letter to the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, calling for a transition period towards a full lead ban of no more than 18 months. While this latest announcement falls short of a full ban, it is a long-awaited step in the right direction.